| Description | Before his death in 1699, Sir Thomas Gresley 2nd Bart split the family estates between his two eldest sons. The Seale estates (including Donisthorpe) descended through his second son, Thomas (1668-1743). The remaining estates, including land and property in Gresley, Drakelow and Lullington descended through his first son, Sir William Gresley 3rd Bart. Following the death of Sir Roger Gresley 8th Bart the direct male line failed and the estates were reunited under Revd Sir William Nigel Gresley, Rector of Seal, great-great-great grandson of Sir Thomas Gresley 2nd Bart
Attempting to reflect what appears to be the original order of the material, the papers have been arranged by person rather than by estate, for which there is much overlap in accounts and other papers. |